Underdogs : the making of the modern Marine Corps / Aaron B. O'Connell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Connell, Aaron B., 1973-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Marine Corps--History--20th century.

United States.

United States. Marine Corps--Military life--History--20th century.

United States. Marine Corps.

Sociology, Military--United States--History--20th century.

Sociology, Military.

History.

Physical Description:

xiii, 381 pages : illustrations, map ; 22 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2012.

Summary:

"The Marine Corps has always considered itself a breed apart. Since 1775, America's smallest armed service has been suspicious of outsiders and deeply loyal to its traditions. Marines believe in nothing more strongly than the Corps' uniqueness and superiority, and this undying faith in its own exceptionalism is what has made the Marines one of the sharpest, swiftest tools of American military power. Along with unapologetic self-promotion, a strong sense of identity has enabled the Corps to exert a powerful influence on American politics and culture. Aaron O'Connell focuses on the period from World War II to Vietnam, when the Marine Corps transformed itself from America's least respected to its most elite armed force."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

A harsh and spiritual unity

The privates' war and the homefront in the 1940s

The politicians and the guerrillas

Forgetting Korea

First to fight in the 1950s

Rise of the amphibious force-in-readiness

Conclusion: Marine Corps culture since 1965.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [283]-369) and index.

ISBN:

9780674058279

0674058275

OCLC:

778636743